[dropcap]H[/dropcap]aving recently captured the National Championship Road Race, Andrew Norbert continued his winning ways this time at the regional level.
St. Lucia’s National Champion Andrew Norbert, rode to a well fought victory in the 96 km 2018 OECS Cycling Championships in Dominica on Sunday. The route was from Roseau to Portsmouth and back.
Norbert was part of a six member delegation consisting of Chester Forde (Manager), Alex Noreskal (Coach) with three other team members being Alvinus Mondesir, Quami Robinson and Donal Joseph. The team was sponsored by the St Lucia National Lotteries Authority and The St Lucia Olympic Committee Inc.
This was a big win for Norbert as he was able to withstand the tactics, attacks and consistent onslaught of a strong Antigua Team, which included former winners Robert Marsh and Jymes Bridges.
Within the first 30 km Emmanuel Gayral of Antigua got away on a break alone. About five riders crashed on a decent which took out Jeffery Kelsick ( Antigua) Kohath Baron, Chester Letang ( Dominica) and Samuel Lyttle of St Vincent.
Robinson (St Lucia) who got caught up in the melee was able to ride back to the main back, was soon out of the race as a jammed cable prevented him from using his gears forcing him out of the race.
Meanwhile a 3 km climb selected the contenders, as Mondesir was unable to make it to the top with the leaders, as a group consisting of Marsh, Bridges and Rene Gayral (Antigua), Bram Sanderson (Dominica), Zefal Bailey (St Vincent), Danny Scott (Grenada), Zambezi Richardson (Anguilla) and Norbert (St Lucia) with Emmauel Gayral (Antigua) ahead on a break, with about a one minute 30 seconds lead.
On arrival into Portsmouth approximately 48 km into the race, Emmanuel Gayral had increased his lead to three minutes. About 4 km later Rene Gayral (Antigua) attacked and went clear ahead.
Approximately 6 km later and 58km into the race on a 2 km climb, Bridges (Antigua) attacked followed by Marsh (Antigua) gaining about a 200 metre lead. Norbert responded and inch by inch began to close the gap. He caught up to Marsh who faltered and then approached Bridges. This attack broke the group to pieces.
Norbert was now in pursuit of the two other Antiguans ahead, with Emmanuel Gayral first on the road and Rene Gayral second with Bridges (Antigua) right behind taking the ride along, not contributing to chasing down his teammates ahead.
Norbert was able to catch up with Renee Gayral by the 66 km mark. He pressed on and rode away with Bridges holding as he continued in pursuit of Emmanuel Gayral who was first on the road and was within sight nearing the last 20 km.
Norbert pressed on attacked on the last significant hill, getting rid of Bridges who could not hold on anymore. He caught up to Emmanuel Gayral with about 15 km to go.
Now with two riders in the lead with Norbert doing most of the pacing with the last 5 km to go. It was a similar situation last year where he placed second to Bridges at the 2017 OECS Champion. This time though having to contend with another Antiguan Emmanuel Gayral going down the home stretch.
However this time around, Norbert turned the tables around. He sprinted to victory having fought off all the Antiguans to win the 2018 OECS Cycling Championships. The Antiguans managed to capture second, third, fourth and fifth place.
Top 10 results: (1) Andrew Norbert, St Lucia (3:00.05.03); (2) Emmanuel Gayral, Antigua (3:00.05.43); (3) Jymes Bridges, Antigua (3:01.13.91); (4) Rene Gayral, Antigua (3:01.55.67); (5) Robert Marsh, Antigua (3:04.47.24); (6) Hasini Hennis, Anguilla (3:08.20.92); (7) Zefal Bailey, St Vincent (3:08.21.21); (8) Bram Sanderson, Dominica (3:08.23.35); (9) Danny Scott, Grenada (3:10.55.76); (10) Zambezi Richardson, Anguilla (3:15.26.16).
St Lucia’s Alvinus placed 12th in a time of 3:21.43.26 and compatriot Donal Joseph was 14th in 3:25.59.25.
